On Monday I asked Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin about Egnew's development and making more plays in practice this year.

“I see the same things you do, and it makes me feel more confident about his ability,” Philbin responded. “He’s starting to understand his role in the offense better, and maybe we know a little more about him, too, so we can put him in a position to make those type of plays. It’s been encouraging.”

I’ve learned years ago to never write off a player after his first season. The NFL is a very tough league, and sometimes it takes a two or three years for the light to turn on. ...

The hope is that Egnew can develop into a serviceable blocker and passing game threat and that Sims can develop into an excellent blocker and redzone weapon. The tandem of Egnew and Sims might not seem like anything right now, but by next season, if a lot of things go right, it might be a very good pair.

As we saw in Hard Knocks it can be huge shock to the system for a star college player to move to a new place and have guys like Incognito in your face. He obviously wasn't prepared for it last year. I was at the Carolina/Dolphins pre-season game last year and the guy didn't look like he had a friend on the team.......he was walking around by himself......it looked like no one wanted to be around him.

The kid has it physically, it's mental with him. Hopefully, he's more prepared, comfortable and mentally tough........we definitely need another TE to step up.

The hope is that Egnew can develop into a serviceable blocker and passing game threat and that Sims can develop into an excellent blocker and redzone weapon. The tandem of Egnew and Sims might not seem like anything right now, but by next season, if a lot of things go right, it might be a very good pair.

I agree.....Egnew has the physical talent to be a big time threat. It was both the mental and the adjustment to the pro game that was to big for him to handle last year. He and Sims could be a nice duo for a long time.

The hope is that Egnew can develop into a serviceable blocker and passing game threat and that Sims can develop into an excellent blocker and redzone weapon. The tandem of Egnew and Sims might not seem like anything right now, but by next season, if a lot of things go right, it might be a very good pair.

I agree.....Egnew has the physical talent to be a big time threat. It was both the mental and the adjustment to the pro game that was to big for him to handle last year. He and Sims could be a nice duo for a long time.

Yep, if you look at the two of them from a skillset standpoint, they're a perfect pair.

I think Egnew coming out of Mizzou had a lot of catching up to do. The offense he ran at Missouri was very different than the one he's in now. Sometimes it just takes a season for a guy like that to learn how to study film, workout, and play fast like a pro.

I agree.....Egnew has the physical talent to be a big time threat. It was both the mental and the adjustment to the pro game that was to big for him to handle last year. He and Sims could be a nice duo for a long time.

I agree, Tone. Most draft analysts felt that Egnew was a good pick. He's a converted wide receiver, so, it sounds as if he had some real growing pains last year. I'm not ready to give up on him yet.

Some 2012 Post Draft Analysis:

PETE PRISCO: Best pick: Third-round tight end Michael Egnew has the ability to split out and create matchup problems. He's what you want in a tight end.

MEL KIPER: Michael Egnew was my No. 4 tight end, and has solid athleticism. He's 6-foot-5, but can run in the mid-4.5 range.

TODD MCSHAY: Intriguing pick - TE Michael Egnew (third)

WALTER: Michael Egnew was a reach, but is probably the best pass-catching tight end on the roster.

Shorts are being worn. What is happening right now ( plays being made ) is useless come training camp.

This is true; however, he wasn't doing anything in shorts last year. It just shows improvement from a year ago. How much? Well, we won't know until the pads come on and we see him in a few preseason games. It is encouraging, but I expect to see Keller as our #1 TE this year. The Dolphins will try to work Egnew into the rotation to see if he can take over next year.

I completely disagree in this situation. Right now you want to see mental strides which Egnew is providing. No one is arguing that since he caught TD passes in a minicamp that he is suddenly challenging for a starting job. You're seeing a guy who couldn't tie his own shoes last year now BEGINNING to understand his role in this offense.

Pat White never had the physical characteristics to succeed as an NFL QB. Everyone knew he was a Wildcat option at best. Egnew has the physical ability to be an NFL pass catching TE. I don't see how the comparison fits given the context of this discussion.

Pat White never had the physical characteristics to succeed as an NFL QB. Everyone knew he was a Wildcat option at best. Egnew has the physical ability to be an NFL pass catching TE. I don't see how the comparison fits given the context of this discussion.

I'd argue he doesn't. I didn't like Egnew coming out of Missouri at all, with no knowledge of how stupid he is.

He runs well in shorts, but on the field it's a different story. I don't see a football player in him. I see an athlete who played in a wide open offense at Mizzou a top 10 pick at QB and took advantage of it.

Just watched some videos on the guy and I'm not going to disagree with you that he is/was more athlete than football player. But, he's a darn good athlete who looks like he can be molded into a decent TE. He has the physical ability to make good catches and move the football forward. If he mentally begins to comprehend what his role is on the field then it looks like a decent pick.

Pat White does not have the size or arm strength to play QB. Egnew has the size, ability to catch , and enough athleticism to be a receiving option. The question we don't know is whether he can learn where to be and what to do in this offense.

Actually, after watching the videos I can't believe Blaine Gabbert was a top 10 pick. Talk about no footwork or pocket presence.

Yes it is good news. I am not saying Egnew is going to make the team or be a star. But the fact that he impressed the coaching staff enough to earn reps with the first team is a huge stride from last year. Maybe the 2nd year is better for this kid. It would be great if he progresses and makes the team and contributes this year. Its a lot better than having to cut a 3rd round pick who was a bust.

1. You don't have to be a "football" player in college to succeed in the NFL. Athletes who play football but don't understand the game yet can be coached up so that their mental strengths equal their physical ability.

2. It takes time for raw guys to come into their own. Neither Graham nor Gates (raw athletes) were considered much after their rookie seasons, even if it was better than what Egnew showed. Now both are legit. Its not impossible for Egnew to be at least solid after a learning season.

The guy put in offseason work, is getting some good words from coaches and has the chance to contribute. Lets just see how it all progresses.

Hey anything is possible, I just am not getting my hopes up for him... And have a hard time comparing him to Graham, who was an all pro by year 2.

Only reason his name still gets mentioned is because of when he was drafted, the spotlight is on him. Some want to see him progress, others just want another reason to hate Ireland lol... (meaning in the media not here)

Personally I am hoping Keller returns to form and signs a nice long term extension

Only reason his name still gets mentioned is because of when he was drafted, the spotlight is on him. Some want to see him progress, others just want another reason to hate Ireland lol... (meaning in the media not here)

Personally I am hoping Keller returns to form and signs a nice long term extension

Correct. He probably would have been cut if he was a 7th Rd flyer.

Obviously I want to see the guy pan out...I want every player to pan out. I'm less than certain he will, but I'll wait to see how the summer goes before giving up on him. I just think he's got some nice physical ability that can be coached up.

I dont think its useless at all, 32 teams are doing it right now. I doubt they do it because they are bored.

These reports are simply reporters providing information to us of what is going on. Philbin is not going to say Egnew still sucks, so what else would you expect to read.

We only have one tru TE in Keller, then a Hybrid in Clay. So between Egnew and Sims one of them will make the roster and see time.

Its useless in the fact of plays being made. Not useless in learning the routes. A Wr going across the middle in shorts,catching the pass & turning it into a 75 YD TD is much different than one doing it in pads is my point.

When players do not have to be concerned with being hit, means they have no worries about the defense.

PR you feel Egnew is stiff? If you watch his tape clips from Missouri he was a pure seam route running tight end that got open quite a bit. Yes, it was for Missouri, but IMO he looked like he was pretty fast, got open and made nice catches, hence all the reasons why Miami drafted him.

Granted last year he was a bit lost, played "tight" not stiff (again my opinion) and needed to improve on the mental aspects.

This is year two and with his "athletic" skills, let's see how this preseason plays out as all indicators are at least pointing to improvement.

I think the points made are that it can take time for certain guys and there is certainly still potential for this guy to breakout more. The attributes are there in this kid, now hopefully he puts it together.